Advent Day 18: Amazed
I thought I might do a little something, this year, that would help me focus on what this season is really about, and maybe it could help you, too. I’m going to take the story of Jesus’s birth, found in Luke 2, and go verse by verse, 1 through 24, to see what happens. Here we go… ...and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Astounded. Dumfounded. Stunned. Flabbergasted. Overwhelmed with surprise and sudden wonder. These are all listed in the dictionary under "amazed." And the Greek word for "amazed," as it is used in this verse? θαυμάζω (thaumázō), meaning "marvel." Every instance I could find that it is used in the Bible has to do with Jesus, some with...
Advent Day 17: Speak
I thought I might do a little something, this year, that would help me focus on what this season is really about, and maybe it could help you, too. I’m going to take the story of Jesus’s birth, found in Luke 2, and go verse by verse, 1 through 24, to see what happens. Here we go… When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child... ~ Luke 2:17 NIV We live in a world that "spreads the word" every single second of the day. Every media outlet is charged with that very thing; marketing, marketing, marketing. Facebook is a platform for spreading our own thoughts, our businesses, and even other people's businesses, as we find products we love...
Advent Day 16: Run
I thought I might do a little something, this year, that would help me focus on what this season is really about, and maybe it could help you, too. I’m going to take the story of Jesus’s birth, found in Luke 2, and go verse by verse, 1 through 24, to see what happens. Here we go… So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ~ Luke 2:16 NIV When I was a girl, I was playing at a friend's house down the street. The sky darkened and weather was a little iffy, as there was lightning coming into play. Before long a loud crack hit very close by, stunning us from our work, for although I can't remember exactly what we were doing, I do remember...
Advent Day 15: The Word
I thought I might do a little something, this year, that would help me focus on what this season is really about, and maybe it could help you, too. I’m going to take the story of Jesus’s birth, found in Luke 2, and go verse by verse, 1 through 24, to see what happens. Here we go… When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ~ Luke 2:15 NIV This thing that has happened. This thing. Somehow that seems a flippant way for the shepherds to characterize the announcement that had just filled their sheepy field with legions from heaven. So much so, in...
Advent Day 14: Favored
I thought I might do a little something, this year, that would help me focus on what this season is really about, and maybe it could help you, too. I’m going to take the story of Jesus’s birth, found in Luke 2, and go verse by verse, 1 through 24, to see what happens. Here we go… Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” ~ Luke 2:14 NIV I wonder what that sounded like, these words being lifted by an army of angels? An army, out in a field under a sky whose light was dimmed by the light shining from the ground. What an awesome spectacle! But you know what part of that verse really strikes me? "...and on earth peace to those on whom...